Tuesday, 14 January 2014

LONDON (AFP) – A
Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was once given to Pope Francis by the
manufacturer is to go on sale next month in Paris, a British auction house said Monday.

The 1,585cc Dyna Super Glide was given to the pope in June to mark the
110th anniversary of the U.S.
motorcycle maker, London-based auctioneer Bonhams said.

The bike, which is signed by Pope Francis on the gas tank, is expected to
fetch between 12,000 euros and 15,000 euros ($16,400 and $20,500) when it
goes on sale at the Grand Palais in Paris on Feb. 6.
The pope donated the Harley in November to the Roman Catholic charity
Caritas Roma and the funds from the sale will go toward the restoration ofits
Don Luigi di Liegro hostel and soup kitchen based at Rome's Termini railway station.
"We are incredibly honored to be selling this item on behalf of
Caritas Roma," said Ben Walker, head of motorcycles at Bonhams.
"We hope to be able to do both Pope Francis and Harley-Davidson proud
by raising a significant amount of money for a very worthy cause."
Pope Francis, 77, is not thought to have ridden the Harley, a make well
known for its use by motorbike gangs including the Hells Angels.
The famously humble pontiff is more of a fan of buses. He opted to ride
one the day after his election last year instead of taking a limousine, and
regularly used them in his homeland Argentina instead of taxis.
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